HASSELL | Projects - Commonwealth Law Courts

Commonwealth Law Courts

Client Attorney General’s Department

Discipline Architecture
Interior Design
Landscape Architecture
Urban Design / Planning

Expertise Justice
Urban Strategies

Scale 36,000 sqm

Year 1998

Location Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Photography Max Creasy / Trevor Mein / Martin Saunders / Matthew Sleeth

Status Completed

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Details

Accessible justice

The Commonwealth Law Courts in Melbourne was the first manifestation of a progressive vision for the court buildings of Australia developed by the Chief Justice of the Federal Court, The Honourable Michael Black AC, QC.

Consolidating four federal jurisdictions – the High Court, the Federal Court, the Family Court and the Court of Industrial Relations – the new courts sought to amplify and render visible the philosophical objectives of the judiciary and the Commonwealth.

The design team balanced key functional requirements for security, communication, accessibility and clarity with symbolic requirements to physically express Australian culture and values – our belief in an optimistic future, the value of honesty, fairness and a hard day's work.

The project is the embodiment of a key moment in the history of Australian courts, when the courts looked to the future not the past and when access and transparency became paramount.

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Integrated thinking

The design began with a statement of philosophy prepared by the Chief Justice on behalf of the Court. This instigated a rigorous process of site analysis, research and consultation with court users and stakeholders.

The consultation informed an integrated team of interior designers, architects, landscape architects and planners to understand how best to organise the diverse functions of the Courts.

The resulting design comprises an intertwined 'courts' building and 'tower' building housing offices and public spaces. The integrated planning of the two buildings delivered effective communication horizontally between courts and administrative support areas to achieve building efficiency.

Of significance in the final design is the egalitarian way in which access to views, light, and space is provided for all court users.

Open communication

The design produced a long gallery stretching from Latrobe Street to Little Lonsdale Street. Natural light permeates the main central volume from all aspects via extensive glazed facades and elliptical skylights – supporting the desired notions of openness and clarity. Custom-designed lighting and lift lanterns, furniture and fixtures, and the use of block panels of colour to balance traditional timber panelling create an overall sense of progression and modernity in the building's public areas.

As a court is essentially a place of communication, particular attention was paid to acoustics, lighting and sight lines. These design drivers are evident across the design detail – for example in the choice of high, transparent balustrades.

Extracts from the Australian Constitution are inscribed as a screen on the external glazing as a symbolic reminder of the important place the Courts occupy within the Australian judicial system.

An individual response

There is always a temptation to resort to a proven formula, however designing many courts and associated structures over several decades has reinforced our belief in the value of treating each project as an individual challenge.

While we drew on our accumulated knowledge of court design, a collaborative approach ensured a unique solution for the Commonwealth Law Courts. The final design was enriched by ideas and contributions from our clients, and a range of sources.

A public place

To survive, communities need to be nurtured and encouraged. In our cities, public institutions, such as courts, have a civic responsibility to contribute to the well-being of the communities in which they operate.

Beyond offering a safe and memorable environment where the business of the court can be conducted, the Commonwealth Law Courts also provides safe and comfortable public spaces by way of its generous forecourt facing William Street. This public space is as much for the city as it is for the Court.

Enduring legacy

The Commonwealth Law Courts took a progressive approach to sustainable design. Environmental and social sustainability were integrated in the design of the building. The generous use of space in the central atrium contributes to improved daylight levels, communication and accessibility. Environmental impacts were considered and managed such as a commitment to the use of non-rainforest timbers, double glazing and low emissivity glass. Perhaps more importantly building longevity was factored into all design decisions.

The Commonwealth Law Courts is an important civic building with an enduring aesthetic legacy and remains a proud testament to the values of collaboration and the vision of Chief Justice Black.

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